St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-07-23

Nv excitement seemed to vex Goodwin.
"In Gods name, what ais your? ne
asked.
II can't explain now, but do as I re-
questn l urged.
And addressing the court with poorly con-
cealed agitation, | said:
If your honor please, we shall not cross,
examine the witness, but desire that he ShaA
be required to remain in attendance, as we
may want to examine him on behalf OF the
defendant"
The witness was instructed to return TO-
morrow; and the court adjourned
After the exchange of glances between
Blake and myself he had left the room.
| FASTENED down to the street and LOOKING
toward his place of business saw him sitting
in his buggy behind his two splendid horses
knew he was awaiting me. So soon as he
saw me he cried:
Come, Gully you walk as if nothing was
to be done and YOU had a thousand years to
do it in -
In moment, for l was almost IN run
when he chided me SO, Twas by ms slde anu
the horses were flying eastward again.
As we had suspected and ardently hoped
the cobbler, finding that he would nave 10
return did not go home that night.
1t was three O clock in the morning when
Blake and | reached town on our return
from our nocturnal visit to the cobpler
cabin in the dark ravine. Nor did we essay
sleep. We were entirely too much wrought
Up by what we had learned.
1t seemed as if the six hours between three
| nd nine, when the court was to meet, would
ever pass They did, however, slowly ana
t length, and the court, the prosecutor the
witnesses and the defendant, the latter still
| amlv hopeless, were in their places.
The prosecutor announced that he was
through with the States evidence.
Blake with bloodless face and eyes shin
ng with a strange light Of victory, sat by my
de Bending forward, ! whispered to my
| Ssocate counsel:
If YOU please, Mr.. Goodwin, l Will
.xamine the witnesses for the defense.
You ought to; you are far better ADVISED
han myself as to their evidence" ne sad as
We exchanged places.
Let Mr.. Hagan take the stand!' sad
| tffecting, with poor success voice OF cool
Indifference. The old man with haggard
md anxious expression Of the eyes, common
with persons suffering from neart-dlsease,
anne forward.
Stepping quickly to his side 1took hold OF
| MS right arm and lifting it so the jury could
observe it, said in a suppressed voice:
This arm is arithered! How do you man
age to make and mend shoes with one hand?
Instantly the sallow face took on the
aspect of death. Passing quickly to the other
side, lifted his left arm.
But here" l went on, ''you have an
u1eommonlv fine arm And l drew the
sleeve above the elbow closely about it as
| cried: Look you, gentlemen of the jury,
here are the muscles of gladiator-a Her
cules," For l doubt if any present had
ever looked upon such an arm as l now
exhibited to the jury.
The witness sat speeches., the arteries in
his neck throbbing, while great beads Of
sweat broke forth upon his brow and ran
down the seams of his face. His aspect was
ptiable; but l was working for the life OF
an innocent man, and must go forward.
No objection was made to this rather IN
usual mode of examination. Indeed, the
prosecutor and the court were not after inno-
cent blood, and, like everyone else, sat
eagerly awaiting events
''Mr. Sheriff. went on, bring me the
boot. exhibited in evidence yesterdays The
officer obeyed.
you mended this boot for the prisoner